Coast Music Therapy’s inaugural “Cause for Applause” award was created to recognize a changemaker, innovator, or pioneer helping support music therapy.  

Amy Kalas, MM, MT-BC, board certified music therapist and director of Wholesome Harmonies, LLC is paving the way for new research in the area of music therapy and autism, offers free resources to music therapists and educators, and has published a series of E-Books to further the field. Read More

A simple email from you can make a difference for the future of music therapy in special education.

Whether you are one of the many California music therapists, a special education provider, teacher, psychologist, social worker, doctor, behavior therapist, parent, grandparent, or just a public citizen who is a supporter of music therapy, YOU are needed!  ***MAY 2014 UPDATE… WE DID IT! CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO.

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What are the legal differences between private music therapy and music therapy as an IEP-based service?

Coast Music Therapy Director, Michelle Lazar, MA, MT-BC (Autism Specialist & Music Therapist) answers frequently asked questions regarding music therapy in special education versus music therapy provided in an after-school or clinic-based setting.

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Her name, Grace fits this little angel perfectly. She is sweet, tender and full of song.

Every week, Grace comes into the clinic singing a new tune. Moreover, she is able to listen to a song just a few times and have most of it memorized. It is always a joy working with Grace as she imparts her simplicity, sweetness and grace wherever she goes…

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Tuned in to Learning launches a free music and movement video series to teach the concept of emotions.

Learn with Miss Veronica what emotions are all about! Each of these visually compelling and entertaining two-minute video lessons target a different emotion and demonstrate each emotion verbally, through facial expression, body movement, dance, and original music composed by Veronica herself. 

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Amy Andrews, MT-BC, board certified music therapist shares a special needs handbell adaptation inspired by one of her students with autism.

I found inspiration for adapting handbells from one of my 8 year-old students on the autism spectrum. This student is highly musical and his understanding of music theory is outstanding.  I presented him for the first time with hand bells and he quickly began to arrange them in order.

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Learn ways to make music class accessible for students with autism and other special needs with these special education band and orchestra inclusion adaptations.

Music shouldn’t be ruled out as a general education class for special learners. Help out your school music teachers by sharing this article on music inclusion tips students with autism and other special needs who are interested in learning an instrument with their peers.

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Music, Food, festivities, fun, and friends!

Through song, movement, instruments, bubbles, and scarves, everyone had a chance to walk in the winter wonderland at this annual holiday event. 

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Expand your use of music in the preschool and elementary school setting with our “It’s a Snap” San Diego special education music workshop. 

Are you a special education provider looking to add some new strategies to your classroom music tool kit? This workshop targets simple and effective ways to enhance preschool and early elementary school programming through music.

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From all of us at Coast Music Therapy, Carson you are a shining star!

We appreciate your confidence, kindness, sense of humor, and natural ability to “feel” the music. We like that you aren’t afraid to show your improvisational skills and make Miss Veronica laugh out loud! We look forward to watching you continue to grow as a musician.

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